High Protein Rigatoni Pasta with Meat Sauce

Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this High Protein Rigatoni Pasta with Meat Sauce, a hearty meal that combines tender rigatoni with a robust, flavor-packed meat sauce. Made with lean ground beef, aromatic garlic, and a blend of Italian herbs, this protein-rich pasta dish is as nutritious as it is delicious. A simmered combination of crushed tomatoes and tomato paste creates a velvety, savory sauce, perfectly hugging each piece of al dente rigatoni. Topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, this recipe is both satisfying and easy to make in under an hour. Perfect for meal preppers, fitness enthusiasts, or anyone craving a comforting yet wholesome pasta dinner, this dish hits all the right notes for taste and nutrition.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz Rigatoni pasta
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 lb Lean ground beef (93% lean)
• 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 28 oz Crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp Tomato paste
• 1 tsp Dried oregano
• 1 tsp Dried basil
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 0.25 tsp Red pepper flakes
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3

Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until it’s browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix well to combine.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 7

Once the sauce has thickened, stir in the cooked rigatoni pasta, ensuring the pasta is well-coated with the sauce.

Step 8

Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta and stir again until the cheese is melted and incorporated.

Step 9

Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1824.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1991.7

Total Fat 81.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 28.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 380.2mg	0%
Sodium 3494.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 163.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.7g	0%
Total Sugars 35.7g
Protein 155.0g	0%

Vitamin D 31.8IU	0%
Calcium 745.7mg	0%
Iron 23.7mg	0%
Potassium 3886.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 36.6%

Protein: 30.9%

Carbs: 32.5%